Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1887-11-10

Pierre took her in his stronq arms
CHAPTER XII
The first days after the arrival of Roger and
his daughter at the White House were very
busy, but soon Suzanne began to have a little
more time, which she occupied in riding about
the pleasant neighborhood, sketching and
gathering the wild flowers and ferns that
that grew so bountifully in every direction.
One morning she started early with her
sketching implements to visit an old abbey,
which had many historic recollections, and
reached there about 8 o'clock, and gave her
horse In charge Of the guard, who had little
cottage near by. This abbey was considered
fine piece of architecture and was kept in
repair by the care of Baroness Nathaniel
De Rothschild, to whom it belonged.
Suzanne went to work diligently and
painted continually until about noon, trans
ferring the scene to her canvass with much
effect Then she suddenly discovered that
she was both hungry and thirsty. II will go
and get drink Perhaps that is all want
after all"
She returned to the keepers house, and
there the keepers wife, buxom, handsome
young woman, offered Suzanne some lunch,
and as she sat at the snowy table a young
man in hunters costume entered the door
with his gun and game bag, followed by a
magnificent hunting dog.
He bowed profoundly without speaking,
and the keepers wife pleasantly, If somewhat
awkwardly, presented him, saying:
'sMademoiselle, do not be afraid. This is Q
gentle youth, NJ. Pierre De Noirville, who has
permission to shoot in the park. He lives
near here with his mother and elder brother
When he hunts he always comes here for his
lunch"
Suzanne replied to his profound bow by
few words and fastened her own lunch, that
he might have his, as she had no mind to sit
at table with him, although he was very
handsome, with something foreign in the
peculiar shape Of his eyes and his complexion.
he looked more like an Oriental than French.
Suzanne excused herself and returned to
her work, telling the keepers wife to have
her horse ready in an hour
When she went out Pierre followed her
with his eyes, and he piled the good natured
Catharine with questions as to the beautiful
young Miss Forney, who did not act SO
frightened as DO all young French girls when
they happen to meet q young man. He adj
mired her sweet but sober dignity and her
evident self possession, and in fact he waxed
exceedingly enthusiastic. Pierre fingered
long over his omelet and fresh bread, coffee
and cream cheese, in hopes of seeing the
young lady again, but at last with a heavy
sigh took his departure.
Suzanne worked until she had finished what
she wished to do and then returned to the
cottage, and giving Catharine her implements
and half finished sketch said az shall be
here early tomorrow morning, and try to
- u Al -.
the moment she was about to leave the park
she made gesture of vexation and annoy
ance as she saw Pierre De Noirville standing
imnoveble as statue and gazing at her with
earnest admiration.
Then Pierre, angry with himself, turned
abruptly and shamefacedly toward his home,
the Meridon farm, which was to be seen from
the gate of the park.
Meridon farm was situated at about six
miles from the White House and consisted of
200 or 800 acres, through which ran the
Yvette river, and here lived Julia Dc Noir-
vile with her two sons, Raymond and Pierre.
This farm was all that they had to depend
upon, for Lucien's death left them but lily
provided for, until Lucien's uncle had died,
bequeathing this property to the two
brothers Pierre managed the farm while
Raymond was preparing himself for the law
In Paris
Julia had greatly changed during these ten
years which followed the condemnation for
life to the man she loved and the death Of her
husband. Remorse had aged her, and, al
though she was but As, she was bent and
withered and had the appearance of an old
woman. There was not day passed nor a
night in which she did not seem to see two
phantoms-the one whom she had sent to a
prison and death, the other her good and gen.
tie husband, dead in his friends defense
Her life since then had been one poignant
regret. Had it not been for her two sons she
would certainly have divulged her part in
this horrible crime; but to clear Rogers
name she must blight those of her two sons.
And she thought Roger was dead, as he was
reported to have been killed In an attempt at
escape.
Raymond was % years old and Pierre "a.
Raymond was small, pale and of nervous
temperament, with his fathers soulful eyes;
while Pierre was large, robust and dark.
Both were handsome.
Though living in Paris Raymond came
often to the farm, always Sundays, and as
often as his duties and studies permitted him
during the week.
The two brothers loved their mother ten
DERBY, and respected her habitual sadness as
the natural result Of the loss of her husband
in so tragic a manner. They believed that
she could never be consoled for that breave-
ment
That evening Raymond returned from
Paris, and seeing the game bag he remarked
to Pierre:
"If it is pleasant tomorrow viii hunt with
you"
Pierre did not answer. II Raymond had
noticed his brothers face then he would have
seen a look Of annoyance pass over it.
The next morning the sun shone bright and
the.two brothers went out with their guns,
and for a long time kept together, as they had
but one dog but at last Raymond found him
self alone, and as he was q little tired he de-
cided to 60 on to the keepers cottage and
wait there for Pierre who would be sure TO
come there for his lunch But as he passed
along by the ruins he noticed outlined against
the sky the figure of beautiful young girl
standing on a wall, which was so old that it
was wonder it had stood so long
He was so surprised by this unexpected
vision that be forgot where he was or that he
held gun in his hand, when the dog saw
pheasant and made movement which threw
the butt of Raymond's gun backward against
tree, and there was a sharp report, followed
by rushing, crumbling noise and woman's
piercing cry for help
The young girl on the wall had sprung as
the unexpected shot had resounded, and this
movement started tie insecure wall, which
crumbled beneath her feet and she fell with
and among the stones some twenty feet. She
screamed again as she fell, and Raymond also
heard another cry, that OF Pierre. He was
too far away himself to receive any injury,
and very pale he was as be rushed forward,
but met Pierre with deathly white face as
they both reached the inanimate body Of the
young stranger lying among the stones and
dust at the same time.
@DeadlT said Pierre, wildly; "deadl"
@Who is she. do you known :